Two US Troops Missing During African Lion Exercise in Morocco

US and Moroccan forces are engaged in extensive search and rescue operations after two American service members disappeared during the ongoing African Lion 2026 joint military exercises. The incident occurred near the city of Tan Tan in southern Morocco, a key location for the large-scale annual drills.

According to statements from both the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, coordinated efforts involving ground, air, and maritime assets are underway to locate the missing personnel. The service members reportedly went missing near a cliff at the Cap Draa training site. The exact circumstances of their disappearance are currently under investigation.

“

US, Moroccan, and other partner forces have launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets, to find the service members who went missing near the training site of Cap Draa.

African Lion is AFRICOM's largest annual exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between US forces, NATO allies, and African partners. This year's iteration spans across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, with the most significant portion of the drills taking place in Morocco. The exercise involves approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries, highlighting its importance in regional security cooperation.

For Morocco, hosting such a significant joint exercise underscores its strategic importance in North Africa and its commitment to regional stability and security partnerships. The swift mobilization of joint search efforts also demonstrates the strong cooperation between Moroccan and US forces. While the primary focus remains on the safe recovery of the missing service members, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in large-scale military training exercises conducted in challenging terrains.

“

The Moroccan army said the service members went missing near a cliff.